Halloween, Feldenkrais, and the Magical Movement of the Skeleton

Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays. I loved it as a kid, and I still love it to this day. There is something special about the decorations, the costumes, and the sheer spookiness of Halloween. And of course there’s the candy corn. At Halloween you can be anyone you want to be. You can even be yourself if you like. Another thing I love about Halloween are all of the skeletons hanging around, so to speak. As a physical therapist I’m used to looking at the skeleton in a variety of different ways. But I fell in love with the skeleton during my Feldenkrais training. Because there is something magical about the skeleton. Our skeleton is the very core of our being, and it is responsible for holding our structure together. It’s just like the foundation of a house or...

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What is Feldenkrais(R)?

The Feldenkrais Method is a highly sophisticated form of neuromuscular re-education based on the scientific principle of neuroplasticity, which simply means that our nervous system is capable of changing and learning new patterns during the course of our entire lifetime. Feldenkrais’ unique approach to neuroplasticity accesses our nervous system in a very gentle, but powerful way, through movement. We all have habitual patterns of moving, sensing, feeling and thinking that help us move easily through our day. However, some of our patterns may be harmful and destructive, resulting in chronic pain, joint dysfunction, headaches, neck and back pain, anxiety, stress and fatigue. With Feldenkrais lessons, habitual patterns of stress, strain or “holding” are gently interrupted,...

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Feldenkrais Training: The transformation begins….

When I finally completed my first two weeks of Feldenkrais training, I was exhausted. However, there were no life-altering changes, no magical “AHA” moments, no epiphanies, no enlightenment, and certainly no transformation. I was pretty much exactly the same as I was the first day I walked in to the training two weeks earlier. Where was all this change I was supposed to experience? Nope, I hadn’t changed at all. Except, of course, for the love affair I had with the floor during the first week. I absolutely could not get enough of that floor! The tips of my fingers still tingle just thinking about it. Then there was that little incident where I was moved to tears simply by the image of a ball rolling across my arm. What was up with that? Then I had that melt down at the...

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Feldenkrais(R) and the wardrobe malfunction….

I had minor surgery on my right shoulder last week, which reminds me of an old joke. Question: What is the definition of minor surgery? Answer: Something they do to someone else. In other words, it’s still surgery and a pretty big deal, no matter which way you cut it, so to speak. Anyway, I had my marching orders to take it easy, don’t use my arm, don’t lift anything, etc. However, no one said that I had to stay home, so the day after surgery I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure. The soft lights and classical music at the salon was a far cry from the sharp needles and bright lights of the surgical suite. Besides, I figured a mani/pedi was just what the doctor ordered. Having made up my mind, I started to get dressed. I grabbed a camisole and mindlessly pulled...

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Feldenkrais Lesson: Rolling the Head

Yesterday’s Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement(R) lesson was titled “Hand Rolling the Head.” Actually, it would be more appropriate to say “Hand Rolling Your Head.” Rolling the head implies a sense of detachment or lack of ownership to the marvelous structure which sits on top of your spine and protects the most intricate personal computer you will ever own….your brain. Besides, the term “the head” implies a creepy image of a head rolling around on it’s own. That’s not a picture that supports a healthy self image, and it’s also a bit jarring to the nervous system. Ooops, I mean, your nervous system. Language does have a powerful impact on how we see ourselves. If we are impersonal in our approach to a lesson, we might...

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The Floor is Your Friend…..

Today’s Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (R) lesson was titled “The Floor is Your Friend.” During this lesson, we explored how the floor can be a blueprint for how we stand, sit, move and walk. The floor is a powerful tool to help you identify and release unnecessary muscle tension, refresh your body and your spirit, and discover a new sense of relaxation as you decrease aches and pains. As an added bonus, you can learn how to get down onto the floor and back up from the floor with ease, grace and effortless movement. Getting down and up from the floor is a valuable and functional skill, one that a lot of us lose as we get older. So, get down on the floor, make yourself comfortable, and sense your contact with the floor. You may be amazed at what you discover! Discover...

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A Feldenkrais(R) Valentine

I have always loved Valentine’s Day, mostly because of the pretty decorations, but no Valentine’s Day could possibly compare to my first Feldenkrais Valentine’s Day. I was in the second week of Feldenkrais Training, and deeply engaged in an Awareness Through Movement lesson, lying on my back, sensing my contact with the floor, and gently rolling my head from side to side as invited to do by my teacher who was leading the class through the lesson. During a rest, I opened my eyes and looked up at the ceiling. I was lying directly under a huge chandelier, which could be a little disconcerting in itself if you think about it. What if it fell and landed on my head? I started to do what I did best, which was worry and perseverate on anything and everything that could possibly...

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Strong arms, soft shoulders.

Here is a wonderful exploration for finding the connection of your arms through your shoulders and spine. 1) Sit on the floor with your knees bent out to the sides and the soles of your feet facing (but not touching) each other. You may need to place a folded towel under your sit bones for comfort. Place your hands on the floor behind your pelvis and lean into your arms and hands. Play with the placement of your hands. Do you prefer your fingers pointing away from yourself? Towards yourself? Somewhere in between? Take a few minutes and very slowly explore where your arms and hands can be so you feel your arms can easily support you. Stop. Take your hands away from the floor and rest. 2) Return to sitting with your knees bent, soles of the feet facing each other and place your hands behind...

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